Badger Newcomers: Hietpas, Hochstaetter and Medbery

The Wisconsin wrestling team is full of young talent, featuring eight true freshmen wrestlers.

UWBadgers.com sat down with three newcomers, Austin Hietpas, Brett Hochstaetter and Connor Medbery, to discuss what
they have been working on in the wrestling room and how their freshmen years are going at UW.

Austin Hietpas

How have you liked Wisconsin so far and how is school going?

"The atmosphere is awesome and the coaches are awesome.

Is there any wrestler in particular that you have been
practicing a lot with leading up to the Intra-Squad Scrimmage?

"I've been wrestling a lot with Matt Kelliher. He's been
pushing me. He has a little different style than me so it's always challenging."

What have you taken away from practicing the last couple of
weeks that you have added to your wrestling?

"I think college wrestling brings intensity. It's a step up from
high school because the time commitment."

Brett Hochstaetter

How are your first couple weeks of practice going so far?

"It's been tough with really long days. You have to really
devote yourself to being there every day."

What pushes you to keep going?

"The one-on-one competition keeps me going. You want to show
that you're better than the other person. It shows how good of a wrestler you
are."

What have you learned from the coaches this year that you
will apply to your wrestling going forward?

"Mental toughness is a big thing. Getting that one extra rep
in or making sure your technique is good even when you're tired - always
pushing forward."

Is there any particular wrestler that is helping you perform
at a higher level?

"When I wrestle with Ben Jordan he usually beats me up
pretty good but I learn a lot from him."

How are you enjoying your first year at UW?

"It's a great atmosphere and a really good college town.
Everything is focused on Badger pride and classes are good too."

Connor Medbery

How are you liking your freshman year at Wisconsin?

"I love it. It's a great town and great place to be. I'm
really enjoying wrestling and everything about it. I like it a lot."

How has wrestling added to your college experience?

"There are definitely a lot of resources available to you.
Being able to study at the Fetzer Center and everything else at your disposal has really added to my college experience."

Is there anyone in particular in the wrestling room that is
pushing you to the next level?